page_title: Eglinton Country Park
section_title: The Old Wood Ice House
hierarchical_section_title: Eglinton Country Park / The History of Eglinton Country Park / The Stables, coach house and offices / The Old Wood Ice House
caption_attribution_description: English: The Eglinton Ice House prior to restoration
context_page_description: Eglinton Country Park is located in the grounds of the old Eglinton Castle estate, Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, Scotland. Eglinton Park is situated in the parish of Kilwinning, part of the former district of Cunninghame, and covers an area of 400 ha. The central iconic feature of the country park is the ruined Eglinton Castle, once home to the Eglinton family and later the Montgomeries, Earls of Eglinton and chiefs of the Clan Montgomery. Eglinton Country Park is managed and maintained by North Ayrshire Council and its Ranger Service.
context_section_description: Ice or snow houses were introduced to the United Kingdom in around 1660 and were commonly brick lined, domed structures, with most of their volume underground. An ice house lies in Old Wood, fairly near to the doocot on the Draught Burn, built by the 10th Earl for £25. 55°38′31.5″N 4°39′28.2″W It was not very successful and was later modified to increase its efficiency. It had a total of three doors to reduce the entrance of heat. The restoration involved an almost total external rebuild and it is not known if the present structure accurately represents the original; it is known that slates covered the exterior of the original structure. During the winter ice and snow was taken from the fishpond, etc. or even imported via Ardrossan Harbour if the winter had been too mild. A second ice house is recorded on the 1860 OS on the edge of the Ladyha Deer Park close to the Weirston to Eglinton Kennels estate road; the design and location suggest that this was involved in the preparation and storage of venison.
caption: The Eglinton ice house in 1979
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